Macharis family: Pillar of the cardboard industry with €1.45 billion in family wealth

Macharis family

VPK Packaging Group has distinguished itself as a leader in the carton and packaging manufacturing industry. Founded in 1936 as modest family business, it turned into international playerwith a network of more than 25 sites in Europe. Its product range covers a variety of recyclable packaging solutions, including protective packaging, transport packaging, consumer packaging, as well as tubes, cases and promotional materials, and this has enabled the family to have a fortune of over 1.4 billion.

Production and installations

• Capacity : Installation in Poland with a production capacity of 180 million square meters sheets of corrugated board per year.
• Investments : Purchase of the former Massive site in Września for 15 million euros, creating 100 jobs.
• International expansion : Takeover of 15 Corenso production sites in 2019, opening up new markets in China, Finland and Spain.

Growth and acquisitions

• Nederland and France : Construction of a new plant and increased control over Ondulys, comprising several corrugated board and board processing plants.
• Spain and Portugal : Acquisition of Corex Arteche Papera renowned manufacturer of coreboards, tubes and corner profiles.

Financial performance

• Sales growth : Close passage from 700 million euros in 2013 to 2 billion euros in sales.
• Net income : Nettowinst reached 115 million euros after tax in ten years.
• Dividends : Payment of a cumulative gross dividend of 168 million to the family over ten years.

Under the direction of Pierre MacharisIn 2013, the company took the strategic decision to delist from the Brussels stock exchange, favoring flexibility and privacy over public bonds. Family shareholders, including Griet Macharis, now own 80% of the group, a sign of their commitment and confidence in the company's future.

VPK Packaging Group's performance is underpinned by vertical integration and a strategy of targeted acquisitions, enabling it to remain competitive despite market variations such as fluctuating energy costs and the challenges of collecting and recycling waste paper. The Group's resilience is also evident in its ability to adapt to market trends. e-commerce and its ability to effectively serve a dynamic and changing market, and the Macharis family has assets estimated at over 1 458 930 000€.